AN auctioneer from Ross-on-Wye has been chosen out of 457 nominations to win an award.

Will Probert, who works for RG and RB Williams at Ross, was named the Farmers Guardian New Auctioneer of the Year award in their 2016 Marts the Heart awards.

The 24-year-old started at the auction firm for work experience and went back for his placement year during his university course at Harper Adams.

He graduated with a 2.1 in rural enterprise and land management last year and has returned to work for the firm at Ross market.

Mr Probert said he was really pleased to win the award.

He said: "For a small little market, it has been amazing the amount of support."

Mr Probert also farms at his family farm in Pandy.

He said: "It is going very well. It worked well with the family farm at home and the chartered surveyor side of things."

He said you cannot learn the skills of being an auctioneer at university and it is something you learn on the job.

Mr Probert said: "An auctioneer must be able to value the stock and be able to gauge a value for all kinds of stock. You also need to keep a rhythm and a momentum of sale and keep a crowd."

Gwyn Williams, partner at RG and RB Williams, said: "He won because of his sheer ability. He is a very capable young man. We are extremely proud of this chap."